TITLE rivals Wheldrake and Poppleton Tigers drew 3-3 in their summit meeting in the York Minor Football League under-16s division one.

The teams are matching each other stride for stride in the top flight table, level on points at the halfway stage of the season, although the Tigers have a game in hand.

Hosts Wheldrake raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes of last weekend’s clash, as Poppleton were reeling from an early injury to Matty Mulhearn.

Some excellent football from the home side paved the way for a goal by Luke Rayner and a brace by Oli Barron.

Poppleton got back into the game when Ciaran Blondrage’s clever turn and 25-yard lob beat the Wheldrake ’keeper.

Just before half-time, a flowing move down the left resulted in Reece Holmes sweeping in Poppleton’s second from six yards.

The second half was a close affair and Wheldrake went close to sealing victory ten minutes from time but a shot was magnificently palmed around a post by Poppleton ’keeper Alex Cookland.

The visitors went straight on the attack and a cross from the right was finished off by Luke Wilkinson, capping his man of the match display.

Tigers manager Neil Blondrage said: “Both sides worked extremely hard and played some entertaining football. A draw was a fair result for everyone’s effort and commitment.”

Wheldrake coach Wayne Pagan, meanwhile, said: “Poppleton are a very good side. They play good football and it was a good game.”

Wheldrake are in their second season in the York Minor League having won promotion from division two on switching from the Selby league last season.

“It is going pretty well for us this season,” said Pagan.

“We won the U15s York FA Cup last year and beat four division one teams. We knew we could compete, but we didn’t really know where we would end up.”